Area Code Changes
* Letters (Dec. 6) about the pending 818 area code split show there is confusion about Pacific Bell’s role in the administration of telephone numbers in California. Evaluating relief options for rapidly exhausting area codes is a process that involves the entire telecommunications industry--not Pacific Bell exclusively. As many as 25 local and long distance carriers, and cellular, paging and cable television providers meet at the planning table. In selecting a final area code relief plan, each company has one vote.
In the case of 818, Pacific Bell refused to vote for any geographic split. Pacific Bell voted for the overlay method. AT&T;, MCI, Sprint and the California Cable Television Assn. are the real advocates of splitting 818 and forcing number changes on some 2 million customers in Monterey Park and the San Gabriel Valley, a fact borne out by documents on file with state regulators.
LINDA BONNIKSEN
Manager, Media Relations
Pacific Telesis
Los Angeles
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